On Jan. 27, 2010, Herrick, who worked out of DPD’s District 6 substation, called Parker police while on duty to report one of their fellow officers, who had called in sick, was at home in Parker and was despondent and possibly suicidal. Parker police responded to the officer’s home and were about to kick in the door, but Herrick and Sanchez later admitted it was all a prank that got out of hand.

Officer Joshua Herrick (credit: Denver Police Department)

Both officers were later charged with false reporting, but court records show a jury acquitted Herrick in 2011. The charge against Sanchez was dismissed in 2010.

In his firing decision, Manager of Safety Alex Martinez wrote that the officers repeatedly lied about the joke that went awry. Martinez wrote that both officers lied during Herrick’s trial and were untruthful during the internal affairs investigation.

“Honesty is one of the department’s most cherished core values. His untruthful and deceptive behavior breached this core value,” wrote Martinez in his termination letters for Herrick and Sanchez.

A spokesperson for Denver’s manager of safety says that since the firings may be appealed, it would be inappropriate for Martinez to further comment at this time.

The two officers can appeal their firings. Electronic messages sent to both officers Wednesday have not been returned.